Hello all!

I recently acquired my Grandfathers 1966 F350 stake side dually. It has been parked longer than I have been alive (I am speculating, but I may be wrong on that time frame). I have spent many summers with my grandparents and as part of those trips I would go out to their pasture and look at all the old rigs they had. This one stuck out to me and I have always wanted it. I ended up buying a 66 F250 when i was a JR in high school, but it wasn't the same ( for both obvious and personal reasons).

I have started the process of getting this new to me beast back on the road, but i have hit the same roadblock that I am sure every single vintage dwr truck owner has. I need to figure out my wheel situation.

I have been looking into buying the same bias ply tires this truck came with, but i dont want to go down that road if possible. I have 6 16x7.25 split ring (non widow maker) wheels. I am trying to get a line on some radial tubes and flaps. But I am just wondering what anyone else has tried. Stockton wheel is out of the question. I have reached out so several wheel makers and they come back with the same quote (a whole lot more than this truck is probably worth monetarily). I saw a post somewhere about someone importing wheels from the middle east but I cannot find that. I know i can do axel swaps but I don't want to do that just yet. Partially since I don't have that much time on my hands out side of work to do the research and find axles that may be a more direct fit with minimal fabricaton needed.( I should add that I live in an apartment complex and they do not allow vehicles to be worked on in their parking lots.)


Anyway has anyone recently found any supplier for wheels? Or does anyone know where I could find some tubeless 17.5 wheels? I live in northern Utah for reference.

This ol Girl is the truck in my avatar pic.

Thank you!!!

 

I understand sentimentality, nostalgia, attachment.

And I know some members feel we should only ever say encouraging, positive things when a new member shows up with dream to restore a family heirloom. No matter what condition.

But I would feel remiss if I was not honest. I would find a different project. You will otherwise be in for a world of headaches, lots of money and time spent, and most likely, a truck that will never be finished. The wheels are the least of your problems. I’ll bet your grandfather would tell you the same .

Get a better platform to start with. Spend the bulk of your funds up front, on the very best example you can find and afford, You would be miles, dollars, and years ahead. That is my honest, if blunt, assessment. I hope you can prove me wrong.

 

First, welcome. Being logical, as ibuzzard is recommending, has never been one of my strengths when it comes to these old beasts. I think the family connection here is a great reason to take on the project. An F-350 is not an easy one to tackle, but there is satisfaction to be gained from doing a project that not everybody would be up to the challenge of. The wheels are not a hard fix. A set of 17.5s with new shoes is the remedy you need.

Last night I texted a link to this thread to two of my buddies that live in your part of the country hoping one might have a set, or be able to aim you to a yard that they know might be likely to have a set. Hope it proves helpful. Stu

 

Best of luck with your project , maybe I can help , I have some 17 5 wheels , and other parts as I am working on a 62 F350 NAPCO . Give me a call 406 880 5473 .

 

Thanks Mark, I thought you might have a set. Stu